xxiii. TWIRLING AND TWIRLING

Lulu bit her lower lip, "I could've handled it myself y'know."

Before Fezco could answer, Lulu was already inside her house. He didn't hesitate for one second and followed her, "I know, I know. Yo, wait up."

Lulu sighed, spinning around to face him in the hallway, "What?"

"We got raided by the cops," Fezco confessed, "That's why we didn't come with Ash to the movies."

Lulu opened her eyes wide, suddenly feeling ridiculous for acting all annoyed when she actually didn't know the whole story, "Wait, what?"

"Some motherfucker ratted us," Fezco explained, "They didn' find shit, we good."

Lulu let out a breath, sitting on the kitchen counter, "Y'know who called the cops on you?"

"Nah," Fezco replied, "But I'm sorry. We were on our way out with Ash when they showed up."

"Don't be sorry—"

"I was pissed like we really wanted to watch that movie," Fezco continued, "And then you looked all mad at me and I don't want ya to hate me y'know."

Lulu bit her lip to avoid a chuckle to escape her mouth. It was the first time she saw Fezco blabbering so quickly, him who was usually so calm and composed.

"It's all good, Fez," Lulu said with a smile, "The movie's gonna be playing for a little while."

Fezco seemed to relax at her words and nodded silently.

"How you gonna do though?" Lulu asked worriedly, "With Mouse?"

"Ion know yet," Fezco admitted.

The room went quiet. Lulu realized that the person standing in front of her had a lot to deal with and that he probably lived in fear every single second. And she understood that she would never be able to imagine what it felt like to have a hammer above her head constantly.

Meanwhile Fezco couldn't help but realize it was probably one of the first time he ever cared so much about someone. Lulu had always had a special effect on him, he knew that. But he didn't want to ignore this anymore. And calling her his girl a few minutes ago made it all much more real.

"So... what you doing tonight?" Lulu asked.

"Well... I told that guy I was takin' you out."

Lulu cocked her head to the side in surprise, "Like... now?"

"Yeah."

"You don't have to y'know," Lulu said, "After what happened with the cops and—"

"Yo, Lulu, let's go," Fezco interrupted, "But you should wear somethin' else."

Lulu frowned, looking down at the dress she had on. She felt confused. Fezco had never said anything about her outfits in the past, no matter how little she was covered. Because he was always there to defend women's rights to do whatever they wanted with their bodies.

Fezco opened his eyes, "Nah, damn..." he sighed, "Yo, you look fuckin' amazing in that dress. Word. But, Imma take you out to do something and y'need to be comfortable."

Lulu chuckled and walked out of the kitchen, "I don't know what you're planning but I'm sure I'm gonna like it."

Once Lulu was in her bedroom, rummaging through her dresser to find a comfortable outfit, Fezco sighed, "I hope, I hope."

... ... ...

Moonlight Rollerway. Lulu stepped out of Fezco's car as she fluttered her eyelashes in surprise. She would have never expected Fezco to take her out here. She turned around to look at him. He was already staring at her.

"You taking me roller skating?" she giggled, "I hope you know what you're doing 'cause I'm terrible at it."

Fezco chuckled as they both walked inside, "I'm sure you lying."

But, when Lulu fell straight on her butt when she put foot on the rink, Fezco understood she didn't lie at all. She was absolutely awful at skating. He let out a loud laugh and skated until he was in front of her, helping the girl stand up as she pouted, "Yeah, okay, you're real bad."

Lulu pulled a funny face, holding onto his arm for dear life, "Stop laughing, help me out!"

Fezco kept chuckling as she struggled on the roller skates, stumbling backwards as she shrieked in fear. He grabbed her other hand to help her stay still, "Lean forward a bit," And Lulu did as he told but almost crashed face first as the boy couldn't contain the loud giggle that escaped his mouth.

He proceeded to skate slowly, holding her hand as she looked absolutely terrified, scared to keep skating with him but even more scared to let go of his hand, knowing she would fall if she did. Instead, she decided to place herself behind him and hold his waist with all the strength she had, putting her head against his back, letting him lead them both around the rink.

"How're you so good at this?" Lulu asked.

"I used to come here wit' Ash," Fezco explained, "When he was younger."

Lulu smiled as she put her head on his shoulder, feeling his beard tickling the side of her face gently. She felt so comfortable with her arms around him that she wished this moment would never end. Fezco wasn't really demonstrative but he simply needed to be there to make her feel cared for.

And they both felt their hearts beating incredibly faster as they remained on the rink for a long time, Fezco trying to teach her how to skate but Lulu failing and falling every single time he would let go of her hand.

Lulu was laying down, after another fall, breathless as she rolled her eyes when she heard Fezco laughing again. He had his hand stretched out for her to get up, "That was fun, can't wait to see all the bruises tomorrow."

"Yeah, let's end the torture," Fezco said as he smiled at the struggling girl, "You hungry?"

Lulu sighed when she sat down on the bench, taking off the roller skates, "Hm... I could go for a milkshake."

"Okay, let's go," Fezco replied as Lulu followed suit with a giggle.

The restaurant wasn't too crowded when the pair arrived. They sat down in front of one another in a booth, the light above their heads slightly flickered, creating a cozy atmosphere. They ordered their foods and drinks as Fezco lifted an eyebrow curiously at the way Lulu was looking at him, "What?"

Lulu shrugged, "Nothing, it's... it's just funny, I didn't see you as a guy who'd go on dates."

"I don't..." Fezco said, "Not a lot."

"Why?"

Fezco didn't say anything for a few minutes as Lulu noticed his attention drifting away. She assumed he was getting lost in old memories and she was about to change subject —afraid the question had annoyed him too much, when he decided to speak up, "Girls aren't really into me y'know."

Lulu was now silent as Fezco was actually talking about his life for once, "And when I started... working, suddenly they were all flirtin' and shit. They really be doing that for discount. Last time I dated someone I found out she been playin' around."

"When was that?"

"Like... two years ago I think."

Lulu bit her lip, "Honestly, her loss."

Fezco shook his head slightly, "You though? You ain't dating a lot."

"Nope."

"Why then?"

( ... )

a/n i'm sorry but fez and lulu are so adorable together im melting i hope you guys liked this chapter!!!!